Curtis Glencross begins rookie year in AHL with high expectations

By Kevin Forbes

October 14th, 2004

Two years ago, Curtis Glencross was playing in relativeanonymitywith the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. After goingundrafted,Glencross was top on his team in goals and second in points, but it was team that had only won one game in NCAA competition during 2002-03.Despite his best efforts, the outlook didn’t look too bright for the RedDeer,Alberta native.

Then the 2003-04 season began. There must have been some magic in theGeorgeM. Sullivan Arena, because the Seawolves suddenly played like a teampossessed. Glencross spearheaded their attack, leading the team inscoringas well posting career highs in almost every offensive categoryimaginable.He scored the most goals and points by a UAA player since the 1995-96season. The momentum kept going deep into the WCHA playoffs, where theeighth-seeded Seawolves defeated first the third-seeded WisconsinBadgers andthen the seventh-seeded Colorado College Tigers. The Seawolveseventuallyfell to the top-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux at the WCHA FinalFive inMarch 2004, but not before being referred to as the feel-good story of2003-04 NCAA hockey.

By the time the season was over, the Anchorage-Alaska team hadattracted alot of attention. Glencross was told in January that Anaheim’sAssistantGeneral Manager David McNabb had his eye on him. Glencross described ittoHockey’s Future at this year’s Rookie Tournament, “He said keep going because we areinterested in you and know we are here.”

When the season ended, anumber ofNHL teams had taken interest in the forward and he decided to make thejumpto pro hockey.

“I felt that I was ready to jump in even though I onlyhadtwo years of college. I had a great experience in college and it isnice toget a chance at the next level,” Glencross said.

After signing a three-year deal with Anaheim, he reported to Cincinnatito join the farm club just before the end of the season. Although he only had 2 goalsand 3 points in 7 regular season games with the Mighty Ducks, he provedto have some magic left for Cincinnati’s AHL playoff run, tallying 7points in9 games. The best was still yet to come.

At the 2004 Rookie Tournament, Glencross showed Ducks fans what all thefuss was about. He scored 6 goals and 8 points to lead the tournament in scoringand to lead the Ducks to victory. He was placed on a line withAnaheim’s2003 first-round draft picks, Ryan Getzlaf and CoreyPerry andcredited his linemates for much of his success, saying “they do a goodjob of moving the puck around and as long as I can get open, they will findme.”

Getzlaf and Perry were impressed by Glencross as well. Top prospectGetzlafcalled Glencross “a very skilled hockey player” and Perry said “we just worked really hard and things just happened for us.”

Glencross describes himself as a grinder. “I go to the net and whatever happens, happens.”

That descriptionmay be a bit modest. At 6’1 and 190 pounds, he is slender but providesa mix of skill and grit that Anaheim desperately needs in their NHLlineup. Hehad a reputation in the WCHA as a punishing checker and has shown nosignsof letting up during his professional career. A quick player, he seestheice well and never quits. This all points to a future spot forGlencross ona second or third line in the NHL.

There’s plenty of work left to do, however and Glencross realizes that.

“Ineed to work on my defensive game. I need to be a little more awarewhen Idon’t have the puck on my hands,” he told Hockey’s Future regarding hisfocuswas for the 2004-05 season. “Other than that, I am just going to workharddown low in the offensive zone, get some more size and try to make thenextstep.”

Glencross, 21, has returned to Cincinnati for his first full season intheAHL. He’s part of the Mighty Ducks’ top six forwards and will becounted onto provide offense and leadership on a young team. He’s an example ofdedication and hard work paying off, both on and off the ice.